Best Probiotics for Kids

The good bacteria in the body have a lot of crucial roles to play. Adding good bacteria to the body the right way might sometimes be required for a child who is down with a stomach infection or diarrhea. Finding the best probiotic for kids can be overwhelming. The probiotics for children might be a lot different from those that are available for adults. The composition, the dosages and the method of consumption might all vary.

I have compiled a list of the most popular and the most trusted children’s probiotics to help you take a decision easily:​

PROVEN EFFECTIVE- Not all probiotics for kids are created equal. Pick Culturelle, the brand exclusively powered by LGG, the Proven Effective Probiotic SUPPORTS A
CHILD'S HEALTH by encouraging a balance of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. These probiotics for kids work naturally with your child's body*

SUPPORTS A CHILD'S HEALTH by encouraging a balance of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. These probiotics for kids work naturally with your child's body*

EASY FOR YOUR LITTLE ONES TO TAKE - For best results, mix entire contents of Culturelle Kids Daily Probiotic Packet into cool food or drink. Best for toddlers and children ages 1+. Free of gluten, dairy, lactose, milk, added colors, preservatives, yeast and soy.

It is a safe and easy to use probioticsupplement that can be given to kids aged 1 or more. It is known to help not just in the improvement of the digestive system but also helps improve the overall immunity and reduces the chances of infections. It contains Lactobacillus GG which is a bacteria found generally in the intestines. The presence of essential levels of Lactobacillus GG can reduce the occurrence of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines and stomach. This can thus help reduce the infections related with the stomach and digestive system.

The best part about this probiotic is the fact that it is easy to consume. For kids very young, the probiotic could simply be added along with the regular food. It comes in the form of packets for easy measurement of the right dosage. It can also be easily dissolved in any beverage.

Children would not even know that you have added something to their regular food and thus it would be easy for them to consume without any fuss. It contains 5 billion active cultures. So each dosage given to the child would actually be beneficial in restoring the natural levels of good bacteria in the body. It comes as a healthy option with no added sugars.

There are 30 packets each of single serving. The contents could directly be added to any food or drink offered to the kid. To ensure the effectiveness of the product it is recommended to use the whole packet at once, once it is opened. In those children where the infection is severe 2 packets per day might be recommended where they would have to be taken with the right gap- one in the morning and another in the evening.​

PROS

It comes as a dairy-free product. So it makes a great option for those kids that are lactose intolerant.

There are also no traces of gluten in the probiotic. So it can be safely given for kids with gluten allergies.

It is known to help alleviate diarrhea as well as other stomach discomforts that are caused due to infections in the stomach.

It not just helps in reducing the severity of the current infection but also helps build the immunity so that future occurrence of infections can also be avoided.

CONS

It doesn’t contain any flavor. So this is not a good option if you are looking for something that can directly be given. But given the absence of any additives and flavors, it is one of the safest sources of naturally obtained Lactobacillus GG.

2. PRO-Kids Children’s Probiotics

GET 15 TIMES MORE SURVIVABILITY THAN WITH OTHERS. With a patented delivery method, the probiotic organisms in this formula are released over an 8-10 hour period so they bypass stomach acids and reach deep into the intestinal tract alive (where they are needed most) so your child can experience the benefits that probiotics have to offer.

GIVE YOUR CHILD THE FOUNDATION OF A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM. From our modern dietary choices to our daily hygiene regimens, there are many things that can affect the balance of bacteria critical for healthy digestion and immune function. Proper probiotic supplementation can help repopulate your child's gut, help with nutrient absorption, and support their natural defenses, giving your child a solid foundation for a lifetime of health.

DRAMA FREE AND EASY TO SWALLOW. This very tiny pearl is the smallest on the market and is easy to swallow for most children of chewing age and up. PRO-Kids pearls are most effective when swallowed rather than chewed (though they still taste great if chewed!).

PREMIUM PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT. Avoiding the synthetic and sugar-loaded ingredients you know are not beneficial for your child can be quite a challenge! You can rest assured because PRO-Kids is sugar free (sweetened with stevia) and has ZERO artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.

This is a probiotic meant for children above 4 years of age. This is said to be a more effective form to take the probiotic as it is not like any other capsule. Once the capsule enters the body, there is a gel matrix that develops around the capsule.

This way, the capsule would not be fully disintegrated by the time it reaches the stomach and intestines. So the live cultures in the capsule would not be attacked by the natural digestive acids in the stomach. Once the pearl actually reaches the target, the intestinal tract, the good bacteria would be periodically released so that the effects can be felt the whole day. It comes with 3billion CFU or colony forming units in each of the pearls.

The pearl is smooth and easy to swallow for the younger children without posing any suffocation risks. They can also be chewed if required. But when they are swallowed, they are the most effective. And given the flavor, even if your child chews the pearl it tastes good. In the case of fussy eaters that do not want to consume the pearl, it can simply be crushed and mixed with the regular food given.

It contains all natural ingredients and is thus safe to be given to children. Due to the special formulation of the pearl, it is claimed to be nearly 15 times more effective than the regular probiotic capsules found in the market. It can also ensure that the bacteria cultures actually reach the child’s gut. And a good gut can, to a great extent improve the health of the natural immune system. So your child would not fall sick too often.​

PROS

This pearl contains 4 different strains of good bacteria that are actually essential for a healthy digestive system in children. It includes Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains that are naturally found in the intestinal tract and stomach.

The pearls contain natural prebiotics that poses as the ideal medium for the culture and growth of the good bacterium in them

It comes with a timed out efficient delivery process. So a single pearl per day is all that is required. It can slowly enter the intestinal tract and can work the whole day in improving the digestive processes.

CONS

The tangy taste of orange in the pearls might not be accepted by few kids. But for such children, the pearls can be mixed with the regular food.

If you are looking for a yummy version of probiotic this is one of the easiest choices. After all, which kid doesn’t like gummies! It contains 1 billion colony forming units per serving. And the serving size recommended is 2 gummies.

This is formulated with Bio-Active Probiotic Defense which can help the gummies keep the bacteria cultures intact till they reach the intestinal tract. It also comes with prebiotics that can improve the natural digestion in children. It is easy to store and does not require refrigeration.

But when the temperatures are too hot the gummies might start melting. So you can also opt to refrigerate the pack once you open it especially if you are staying in a warmer region.​

PROS

The flavor and the taste of the gummies is the first main benefit. Children would love the natural cranberry flavor it carries. It is not just meant for the kids but even adults can reap the benefits of these probiotic supplements and observe equally effective results.

Those children with digestive troubles, constipation, gas issues could also find the consumption of these probiotics beneficial.

They can directly be consumed out of the bottle and so they are quick options that do not require any preparation.

It is a probiotic supplement that contains Lactobacillus Sporogenes which is a probiotic with multiple benefits. The encapsulation methodology adopted to save the gummies keep them safe from the stomach acids.

The growth and culture of the natural bacteria in the probiotics is enhanced by the inclusion of fructooligosaccharides and insulin. These are the prebiotics that helps the bacteria grow and stay active.

There are no artificial flavoring and coloring agents added. It doesn’t contain any preservatives. It is a dairy free and gluten free product that also doesn’t contain any nuts, soy or eggs. So children with multiple allergies can also consume these gummies.

CONS

The gummies do not store well in high temperatures. If you stay in a warmer region or if the product has been transported in poor conditions then the gummies might sometimes melt before you can consume them.

4. Renew Life Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic Chewable Tablets

PROBOTIC FOR KIDS AGE 2 AND OLDER: Renew Life Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic is made with 3 billion cultures and 6 specially selected strains to ease occasional tummy trouble and support digestive balance.*

HIGH QUALITY GUARANTEE: Renew Life is the #1 probiotic brand in consumer satisfaction,** guaranteeing quality, purity, and potency through expiration. Renew Life probiotics are made in the USA using only the highest quality global ingredients, and are free of gluten, dairy, and soy.

IMMUNE AND GUT HEALTH: Did you know your child's gut is home to 70% of their immune system? This probiotic supplement for kids provides digestive AND immune support for growing bodies, so your child is set up for daily success.

NO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS: Each chewable tablet is jam-packed with great berry-licious taste, and contains no artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors.

SHELF STABLE PROBIOTIC: Refrigeration recommended but not required, so stick it in the fridge only if you want to!

These are special probiotic supplements formulated keeping the children’s digestive system in mind. The brand also has a separate line of probiotics for the adults, women, and for seniors so as to meet the age-based requirements. It contains the largest number of bacteria strains in our list.

With 6 different strains, it can help work on the overall immune and digestive health in kids. It can also help tackle the occasional occurrence of digestive discomfort and stomach upset conditions in kids.

The recommended dosage is 1 tablet each day for children 2 years or older. In the places where it gets excessively warm, it would be a good idea to refrigerate the product especially after the pack is opened.​

PROS

The natural berry flavor means that your child would love the taste. And it is easy to chew tablet. So you need not worry about making your kid swallow it safely.

There are 3 billion live cultures so even if you are worried about the shelf life of the product reducing the number of active cultures there would still be billions of bacteria to be released into the body.

It doesn’t contain any added sugars. The flavors are derived from natural ingredients. To suit children with sensitivity to dairy products this one comes without any dairy ingredients in it. This is also gluten-free

CONS

There are no clear indications about presence or absence of soy products in the product. So the effects in those with soy allergies is not known.

Here is another probiotic supplement in my list that is available as easy to consume gummies. It comes in a yummy fruit flavor that your child would love. The taste is as good as the flavor itself.

It is known to come with a proven survivability rate that can help protect the gummies from the attack of the stomach acids. So the gummies would survive till they reach the intestinal tract and start releasing the bacteria slowly and steadily. It is a probiotic supplement recommended for children above 3 years of age.

Adults could also take these probiotic supplements. The product has a long-term impact on the digestive health in children. It can help improve the levels of the good bacteria in the body in the long run.

PROS

Children with digestive disorders, bloating, mild abdominal discomforts are all seen to show improvement with the intake of these supplements.

It can also help cure diarrhea caused by stomach infection or improper digestion in children

There is a protective shell on each of the gummies that protect the bacteria cultures from dying before they reach the intestines

The colors and flavors are derived naturally from fruits and vegetables. So there are no artificial colors that might be harmful

If you are looking for adults there is also a separate adult probiotic supplement that comes with added fibers as well.

There are no traces of gluten in the product

The great tasting product also gives good results without any side effects in children. And in the long run, even after the child stops consuming the gummies the immunity strengthens and the digestive system gets healthier as well.

CONS

There are no details about the presence of soy and dairy products. So you might have to check with your pediatrician before giving these probiotics to children with dairy intolerance.

The gummies do not stay fresh in hot climate. They would have to be refrigerated.

What are the Health Benefits of Probiotics for Kids?

Some health conditions or other external triggers like a long course of antibiotics might meddle with the normal levels of the good bacteria in the body. As a result, digestive issues might occur in children. Certain infections in children might actually need an intake of good bacteria along with the suppression of harmful bacteria to help fight the infection better. This is precisely where a probiotic for children comes in the picture.

These are considered to be supplements rather than therapeutic compositions. They are also safe to be consumed by children. As far as the recommended dosage adheres too, there is very little to no possibility of side effects.​

Probiotics are known to help curb diarrhea in children. This is sometimes given in the form of yogurt as a natural probiotic. If that doesn’t help a probiotic supplement can be beneficial.

There are some rare cases where some babies experience the disintegration of intestinal tissues due to necrotizing enterocolitis. Characterized by bloating, and abdominal swelling, probiotics might sometimes help alleviate this condition. The general treatment course would vary based on the actual severity of the infection and the age of the child as well.

For the colicky babies, a prescribed intake of probiotic might help. Babies that are given probiotics cry less.

Probiotic supplements can also help improve the overall dental health in children.

There are studies that prove that the ideal levels of good bacteria can reduce the occurrence of respiratory infections in children.

Few courses of antibiotics might result in diarrhea. This is not a very common occurrence but it depends on the actual antibiotic chosen and the way your child’s body responds to it. In such situations, a probiotic supplement might be recommended.

Clostridium difficile is one of the many types of infections that can be cured faster with the right choice of children’s probiotics.

Some children suffer from irritable bowel syndrome. Restoring the balance in the levels of the good bacteria in the stomach can help cure IBS in a lot of situations.

Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and several other infections might also call for probiotic supplements. These would be prescribed along with the regular course of medication. They can help the medicine work well and also prevent any side effects associated with the antibiotics consumed.

No matter how beneficial probiotic supplements are it is always a good idea to approach your child’s pediatrician before you start a course. In the meantime, you could supplement his regular food with natural probiotics like yogurt, on a regular basis.

Besides the above mentioned regular benefits probiotics are also found useful for the children with dairy sensitivities. Allergies associated with dairy products can be reduced with the intake of probiotics. Some children might even suffer from eczema as a result of these allergies. And this can also be treated by supplementing the medicines with probiotics.

Regular intake of the natural probiotic supplements can, in the long run, help boost the general immunity in children.​

Choosing The Best Probiotics for Children

Probiotic supplements are available in the form of capsules or as easy to dissolve powders. Look at the CFU number on the pack. This denotes the culture-forming units in the probiotic. It might sometimes be indicated as the number of live cultures. This would indicate a number of bacteria fed to the child’s body for each dose.

Look for the ones that contain active or live cultures of bacteria. You also get to choose various flavors, so that you can make your fussy eater easily accept it. There are also sugar-free supplements which are even better.

The choice of a reliable brand is also another important factor that cannot be ignored. You could look for those brands that have been popular in terms of the consistency of the product quality. Stay away from the brands that have had recalls any time in the future. You do not want any probiotics that contain a lot of artificial ingredients, added colors, and other additives.

One other aspect to look at is the shelf life of the product. The closer the product is to the end of the shelf life, the less would be the actual number of live cultures present in the probiotic. The actual strains of bacteria present in the probiotic would be another factor to look at.

Capsules and powders are not the only options in probiotics. There are also those that come in the form of easy to use drops. If the child is too young to chew a capsule form then choosing a powder or liquid probiotic would be a better idea. The form in which it is given would not matter much as long as the live culture composition is good.

The storage requirements for the probiotics would also vary. Some require refrigeration while some can be stored at room temperature. Following the storage instructions would ensure that the live cultures stay alive till they are consumed. Refrigerated ones are generally preferred mainly because they can be stored at regulated temperatures to ensure the effectiveness of the product.

Though there is a wide variety of strains that you might find in probiotics, the most popular ones, the most preferred ones are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacteriumbifidum among the others. These are the ones that are found in the body naturally.

Summarizing it on the whole​

Gummies and chewable tablets are great for preschoolers as they are easy to consume. Some kids might have difficulty swallowing pearls. And for the toddlers, probiotic supplements, like the first one on the list, that can be mixed with the regular food and drinks would be the best option and the safest as well.

It all boils down the convenience of use and your personal preference. Consider the storage and dosage recommendations and strictly follow them. For the products marked to be stored in room temperature, there might be a permitted maximum temperature. Check this and store the supplements in the refrigerator to avoid disintegration due to hotter weather.

The Culturelle kid’s supplement the first on the list is one of the best in terms of several aspects put together. They are designed to suit children as young as 1 year and thus they are very mild and very effective as well. They can also show quick results without causing any side effects.​

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